Rare Blue Mountain Oolong Tea

A traditional Chinese type of manufacture, combining the best of green and black teas, Oolong teas are much lesser known in the world than the traditional black or green teas. This, however, does not take away from their cup quality and they are known to have a lot more health benefits than green or black teas. While most Oolong teas are made in China, this tea has been taken to another level of perfection in the Blue Mountains (Nilgiris), with a perfect blend of appearance and liquor, never seen before in Oolong teas manufactured in India.

The high elevation, terroir, rainfall pattern, and the unique all-year harvest season in the Blue Mountains only add to the unique quality of this special tea manufactured in small batches with the very best of select green leaf. The uniformity of the green leaf harvested is reflected in the manufacture with almost every bit of tea perfectly resembling the other.

The unique golden hues of the liquor are naturally sweet, a feature of high-quality oolong teas, and the Nilgiris lend their signature floral fragrance with a hint of petrichor, a fragrant aroma associated with fresh rainfall on parched earth. A rare find to be savoured by the discerning tea connoisseur.

HOW TO BREW

1. Bring unfiltered water to a gentle boil to approximately 90 deg. Celsius (208 deg. Fah.).
2. Place 1 tsp. tea (2.5 gms. approx.) per cup in a pre-heated teapot, and pour the water from above. In case of several cups, add a tsp extra for the pot.
3. Steep for 2-3 mins as per taste. If left longer, it may turn a little bitter and cloudy.
4. Once strained, one can easily extract a second brew. Often, the second brew brings out the full flavour of the tea.

ENHANCE THE FLAVOUR

FOOD PAIRING

A cup of brewed oolong tea contains small amounts of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The polyphenol anti-oxidants in oolong tea may help maintain normal blood sugar levels and decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is also claimed that Oolong tea may help decrease the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure in some people. However, more research is needed in this aspect.

The combination of caffeine and polyphenols found in oolong tea may help increase specific enzyme inhibition and the number of calories burned each day. This could ultimately aid in weight loss. The caffeine, anti-oxidant, and theanine content of teas (including oolong tea) may have beneficial effects on brain function and mood. Similar to green and black tea, oolong tea may have protective effects against cancer. Oolong tea may help increase bone mineral density. It may also strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the formation of dental plaque.

The polyphenol anti-oxidants in oolong tea may help relieve symptoms of eczema, and the improvements may last for a long time — but more research needs to be done. It also contains a little more caffeine than green tea but lesser than black tea. Owing to the lower caffeine content, it is considered safe to consume up to 10 cups a day for most people of average health. It also has less caffeine per cup than coffee, making it a good solution for those who are caffeine sensitive.